Bridgeton pioneer., 1887-09-01

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spot.
Rev. Sim Hyde was then called, but
died only several weeks after he be-
came pastor. His remains are in the
yard near the church. For three
years the church depended upon sup
plies and Rev. VIM. Pickles, an Eng
lishman, became the pastor. He was
an eloquent man, but his life was in
consistent, and he was made to feel
that his resignation would be preferred
to his company.
Eight years followed his unsuccessful
pastorate ere another minister was
called regularly, and in 1895 Rev. John
Davenport became the pastor of the
people. 1t was under him that the
first roll of membership was made and
had upon it the names of sixty follow
ers. He preached until 1905 when he
withdrew. The church then became
dependent on supplies for about three
years, when the Rev. Nathaniel Reeve
was installed pastor in October, 1903,
where he continued until he was dis
missed at his own request by the Pres
bytery of Philadelphia, April 18th, 1917
Rev. Francis G. Ballentine was in
stalled pastor June 22d, 1919, and so
continued until a meeting of Presby-
terry held at Salem, June 0th, 1924 At
his request his patoral relation with
the congregation was dissolved.
Then Rev. Alexander McFarlane was
ordained and installed April 27th, 1885,
and continued to discharge the duties
of pastor until he was dismissed from
his charge in 1880, to accept professor
ship in Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa.
Rev. John Burt then took the over
sight of the church for some months,
when Rev. George Drummond Nc
Cuenn was installed pastor, October
9th, 1881, and was dismissed from his
pastoral relation, at his request, Octo-
ber 10Th, 1886.
Six years later Mr.. Benz. Tyler, of
Greenwich, was called to preach, and
remained until 1842, when he retired
on account of poor health.
Rev. Jacob w. Kerr came to the
church the same year and preached
until 1866, and to-day sleeps in the
yard near the church. In 1866 Rev.
Dr. Thomas Cattell became the pastor
of the church and preached until 1860.
An invitation had been sent him to be
present at these services and it was
thought he would be here, but a few
weeks ago he died and is now buried
in Philadelphia.
Rev. DR.. r. Hammill Davis came
next and his is a household name in
Dserfield. His efforts were crowned by
seeing 1875 join the church. He has
the honor of holding the pastorate
longer than any one else in
the history of the church. He was
present at the anniversary. After
preaching in the church fifteen years,
he resigned for another charge. In
1876 Rev. W. H. Dinsmore was called
and preached two years. In 1878 Rev.
Ed. p. Heberton was called and
preached. He is now deceased and
his widow and family reside in Bridge.
ton. His aged father still lives. From
1880 to 1888 Rev. James D. Hunter
preached in this historic church, and
in 1884 the present pastor was called.
The speaker then told how in 1882
number of Scotch and Irishmen came
to Deerfeld and settled here. How
they built their log church, near the
site upon which now stands the old
stone church, built one hundred and
sixteen years ago. He spoke of the
wonderful love they had for the Scrip
lures and the manner in which they
went the long distance to the church.
He spoke of the forming of the Sun
day School and the building of the
chapel in 1878. Spoke of the founda-
ton of the various societies that had
been formed to help on church work,
and gave the names of the present
officers of them. The first Board of
Trustees of the church were elected in
1910.
After his address which was greatly
appreciated, Rev. DR.. Davis, former
pastor, was announced to speak on
'Recollections. With considerable
emotion the speaker went over the
years that had passed since 1860 and
spoke lovingly of this his first charge
and first people. He looked over the
homes of those who had been dear to
him, but he found that without excep-
tion death had entered them ALL Very
few familiar faces were in the congre-
cation before him, nearly all of the
older ones having long since passed
to their eternal home. 1t was here he
brought his bride, and the old brick
parsonage by the stream was their
first home. And while this was the
15Oth anniversary of this his old church,